Eight straight wins is impressive and the GSBA (Greater Sudbury Basketball Association) U15 Storm boys are now being rewarded for the consistency of their high level play.

While it's uncertain yet exactly how many divisions the Storm will jump prior to next taking the court in OBL (Ontario Basketball League) play, it's a given the team will move up from their current placing in "R" Division.

Competing in North York this past weekend, the Storm recorded a four-game OBL sweep that began with a 61-54 win over the Markham Gators. Despite being tagged with far more fouls (28) than coach Michelle Flood would like, the local lads managed to ride an early 32-14 lead at the half to victory in a game that wasn't necessarily their best.

Spearheading the offense were Will Laporte-Alexander (13) and Ethan Adou (10), while both Skyler Laplante and Bently Szwed distinguished themselves defensively as the Storm came through with key stops late in the game to preserve the victory.

Another solid start would allow the northern crew to improve to 2-0, leading 32-18 at the half and silencing the Cambridge Centaurs by a final score of 53-41 as Sudbury rode the hot hand of Colton Sartor (16 points) in game two.

Challenging the Cambridge shooters aggressively and hauling in key rebounds, the tandem of Jesse Betu and Richard Owolabi did yeoman's work at their own end of the court in this encounter.

With the weather causing some travel issues for the day two opponents - the Storm had already safely navigated their namesake the previous day, hunkered down in the comfort of their GTA hotel rooms - Sudbury jumped all over a depleted CW (Centre Wellingon) Celtics side, running away in the second half to the tune of a 77-22 scoreboard.

Bringing more energy to the table this game, the Storm were again led on the attack by the one-two punch of Adou (17) and Laporte-Alexander (15), with Josh Paradis, Eden Yedess and company supplying the ball pressure intensity, creating turnovers with regularity.

Closing out the weekend set against the divisional second seed, the GSBA reps saved their best for last, taking complete control of the game and deflating the Belleville Spirits 78-37.

This was a total team effort as Noah MacIntyre (17) and Rylan Donnelly (12) topped a very congested scoring parade, with Ethan Adou and Colton Sartor netting 11 points each.

The Storm were coming off a very solid tournament weekend in North Bay where the lads tested themselves against upper level competition, squeezing in wins over the North Bay U15 Spartans and Temiskaming Thunder between a pair of setbacks to the North Bay U16 Spartans squad.

The Storm will next take to the court in OBL action on (Saturday) April 12th when they head south for a two-game set as they continue to grind their way towards the provincial championships later this spring.